Cocking effort HW50 vs. Diana 34

[sigwally]

I am a disabled vet who owns a HW30s and enjoys it very much. However due to medical/physical problems I do not have much strength at times. Cocking my Hw30s is O.K. most of the time but there are times that I do struggle a little. Not much, but a little. Regardless I love the whole high quality German springer experience and I am planing my next purchase. I do want to step up in power and I have settled on Either Diana or Weirhraunch (HW) as the quality makers.
I feel I am slowly getting stronger. So I wish to ask which rifle has a lower cocking effort. Either the Diana 34 "Classic" ( not EMS ) or the HW50S. I would be very happy with either (No, I can't afford BOTH! ) I have read extensively on both. Although the Diana 34 is slightly more powerful it has a longer barrel which makes cocking easier. Most comment on how easy it is to cock. On the flip side most comments about the HW50s never mention easy cocking. Actually B.B. Pelletier on the recent Pyramid Blog review said he was surprised at how difficult the HW50s was to cock. I attribute this to the shorter barrel ( the whole leverage thing, ya know...) .
So, which gun of the two are easier to cock ?? Also ANY other comments on the Diana vs. the HW are appreciated. I really LOVE my HW30s and could not be happier. But people say the same about their Diana rifles compared to all others. So please give me your thoughts. And Thanks!

 

[Ohen Cepel]

It is possible to "de-tune" an air gun. I have one that was done that way to make it more accurate, and also easier to cock.

There are some amazing shops out there that may be able to get you a set up like you want.

Or, is CO2 an option in the near term to keep you shooting?

Wish I was near you as I would be happy to let you try what I have to see what works for you.

 

[jmars]

The HW50 is hard to cock because at the point where the spring is fully compressed, the barrel has the least amount of mechanical leverage.

If it is detuned to rival the cocking effort of your 30s, it will be very little if any more powerful than your rifle.

A Diana 34 can be detuned to be almost as easy to cock as your 30s, but still more powerful than a stock HW50s.

I'm not sure that Diana 34's are still available; I think that they have been discontinued.

My personal favorite is a British made BSA Supersport. They are as powerful as a Diana 34 but with low cocking effort and lighter weight.

 

[cslinger]

I don’t own a HW50s but have heard that the cocking effort is similar to or a tad worse in feel then the HW95 which is quite a step up from the 30.

I have found that Diana’s are generally more cocking intensive as a rule.

 

[sigwally]

I will start researching the above recommended rifles. Is the HW95 the same as the Beeman R9? What are the differences?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Think about a side cocking one also, that may be easier. Worth a try.

 

[cslinger]

I will start researching the above recommended rifles. Is the HW95 the same as the Beeman R9? What are the differences?

HW95 and R9 are the same gun with some slight stylistic differences in the stock and I believe the Beemans's (R9's) have a gold trigger. Nothing fundamentally different.

 

[cslinger]

I will start researching the above recommended rifles. Is the HW95 the same as the Beeman R9? What are the differences?

You know, now that I think about it. Look at a Weihrauch HW35e. Falls between a 50 and a 95 in power and, I personally, find them to be very easy to cock. Not 30s easy of course but very easy in general terms.

Now that said, cocking effort is a lot like recoil. It can be quantified with force numbers or lbs of effort for cocking but ultimately it is very subjective shooter to shooter so unfortunately while we can all give you our interpretations of cocking effort they may not play out the same way for you. I still feel like the 35e is a sweet spot as far as cocking goes and I really like the old school walnut stock and old school barrel latch mechanism.

As for Diana vs …. While Diana makes a very good rifle IMO and experience they are a tier below Weihrauch. In firearm terms think HK vs Glock. Glock is an excellent pistol but there is no denying HK pistols are a tier above in terms of fit, finish, feel etc. that doesn’t automatically mean HK is BETTER period. Kind of the same with Diana vs Weihrauch. Diana is a great and may have better products for an individual but there is no denying there QC, fit and finish etc. is a tier below Weihrauch. (Now we ain’t talking Hi-Point or even Canik here again think Glock to HK. Hope that helps.

 

[sigwally]

HK vs. Glock...ouch! It is Weihrauch for me then. I am extremely impressed by the reviews of the HW95. Wow, what a gun! I will also consider the HW35. It is available in the stainless look to match my Hw30s.

 

[cslinger]

Not to be an enabler or anything but ….. why yes it does and it is and in stock. . The 95 doesn’t have a “nickel/stainless whatever variant” as far as I know.
https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/spring-piston/weihrauch-hw35e-walnut-stainless-look/

Seriously though the 35e is an old school air rifle and I think they are all the better for it. The 95 is better on power, easier to take apart and generally cheaper but the 35e just oozes old school class.

To keep the analogy going. The HW95 is a GP100 where the 35e is a Service six or 686 vs model 19 pinned and recessed kind of thing. Arguably the newer guns are “better” but the older guns are made with more care and exude more class.

 

[sigwally]

Actually it is not in stock, as I wish the .22 version. And yes you are an enabler and I thank you for it. Before you try to convince me the .177 is better I have tried it and prefer the .22 cal. I am committed to that caliber and have several Co2 rifles and pistols in the larger caliber. I have 2 Hammerli 850 AirMagnums, one custom and one factory, a Crosman 2240 that is slowly turning into a stocked carbine. And the HW30s. As far as your analogy of the HW95 being a GP100....Come on now. Let's not start comparing Weihrauchs to Rugers...

 

[cslinger]

Actually it is not in stock, as I wish the .22 version. And yes you are an enabler and I thank you for it. Before you try to convince me the .177 is better I have tried it and prefer the .22 cal. I am committed to that caliber and have several Co2 rifles and pistols in the larger caliber.

Actually, specifically to the 35e as a matter of fact, I prefer the .22. Much more mellow shot cycle. .

 

[cslinger]

Ok it’s not stainless but…..

https://www.krale.shop/en/weihrauch-hw35e/

Don’t be alarmed at ordering from the Netherlands. They are universally loved and there shipping is supposedly lighting fast. I just placed my first order with them yesterday. The rifle is scheduled to be here Thursday. Shipping is 60 bucks but they are the cheapest game in town for Weihrauch’s.

 

[sigwally]

Thanks Chris for the help. I will look into all these options. I get paid next Wednesday ( 2nd Wed. of each month ) So I will be ordering on that day..Wlll talk tomorrow. Thanks again everybody for your time and advice.

 

[sigwally]

Wow! What a difference 5 days makes. I am ready to buy either a Beeman R9/ HW95 or a HW35 in .22 cal. Was going to order from a website called "Airgunon.com" in 2 days ( Get paid Wed.) and I just found after checking that it is a scam site! Prices WERE way too good to be true and what I wanted was in stock. So I started frantically searching Kral, AOA, and Pyramid Air. There were several in stock at a couple of those places a week ago but now all three are totally out of stock of those guns in .22 ! That quick! what a kick in the nuts...
So, are there any other reputable dealers out there I should check. Or if anybody knows of a new (or like new) R9/HW95 or HW/35 PLEASE let me know. I really wanted to order it quickly before any other minor needs like food, shelter or bills come up. Thanks guys!

 

[cslinger]

You could reach out to Mike at Flying Dragon air rifles. Send a message to him. Although the sight usually only lists the Chinese stuff he usually has some Beeman R7/R9s for decent prices.

 

[sigwally]

Flying Dragon was a no go. Just when I thought all was lost I prayed about it. ( I am not a "I'm more Holy then you" type Christian. I am more of a "I'm a stinking sinner and Thank God I am saved" type Christian" ) Anyway the Lord must have great tase in airguns because just when I gave up, I checked EVERYWHERE one last time and lo and behold Airguns of Arizona got in some HW95 Luxus models in .22 !! Ordered immeaditly and I should have it in about a week!
I have been 'workin out' with my adorable and much loved HW30 so I am getting in shape for what will probably be the finest springer I will ever own. Once again thanks everyone, and especially Chris, for the help and advice. I have a feeling the next week will go by especially slowly!

 

[cslinger]

Awesome. Enjoy it. Sometimes it’s more important notice to be thankful for the small blessings/miracles then the big ones.

I am sure you will love it.

 

[sigwally]

I received my HW95. I had some minor disappointments at first but they have been worked out. I was comparing it to my HW30 which was almost miraculous out of the box. The HW30's Barrel was fairly clean when received but I carefully cleaned it anyway. Sights were dead on. Trigger was 1 1/2 pounds glass rod crisp. And first shots with cheap Crossman .22 hollow points ($6.99 per 500 at WM) put all shots in the same hole at 10 yards. Plus it was really beautiful in every way. I was on cloud nine. What a great airgun!
After talking to the salesman at AOA I upgraded to the Luxas version HW95 in .22. I guess I was expecting a stock akin to a California Weatherby Mark V in the looks dept. Of course it was not. It really IS beautiful in every way but I guess I let my imagination get away from me. Also my HW30 came with the deluxe stock. So I was expecting something MUCH greater... Oh well. When I checked the barrel it was filthy black. I carefully cleaned it with my patchworm .22 kit ( Thanks AEAC videos! ) but it took over 40 patches to come clean compared to perhaps 8-9 for the HW30. Shooting it the trigger broke at about 5 pounds. With slight creep in the second stage. Worse the group was a shotgun pattern 4 inches to the right! Plus the gun was LOUD! with an angry buzz and a strange strong smell. It smelled exactly like how a wax candle smells when you blow it out. Yes there was light smoke. Clearly the gun was dieseling badly.
I was about to return it but I decided to put more pellets through and work with it. After another 100 or so pellets I was startled to hear my steel bullet trap ringing loudly with every shot. After checking the trap and some confusion I finally realized that I heard the trap ringing loudly because the HW95 had become quiet. My HW30's pellets hit the trap with a "Ding". The 95 hit it with a "DING!" Ah ha! there IS hope! Checking the barrel it was black again so it was cleaned a second time. I also put a airgun scope on it. I was rewarded with a group the size of about a quarter. I then started to unscrew the trigger adjustment a half turn with every shot. After perhaps three full turns my trigger is now about 1 1/2 pounds like my HW30. There is still a hair of creep in the second stage but it is almost gone. The angry BUZZ which was there in the beginning is now gone too.
The fantastic news is last night, after pulling a few patches through the now behaving barrel and after a couple of fouling shots, I was rewarded with a five shot cloverleaf at 10 yards. With the cheap Crossman pellets. I could not be happier! Strangely, the gun seems MUCH more beautiful now. Weird how that works...

 

[cslinger]

I bought a new production HW77 recently and the barrel was also filthy.

Some airguns REALLY do need a break in period. My new 77 is definitely breaking in although it was shooting fairly well with H&N out of the box.

 

[sigwally]

I have a theory why my HW95 was dieseling so badly. It was probably built in Germany about 6-8 months ago. It possibly went on a shipping pallet with the muzzle pointed down. So it ( again possibly ) spent the entire hot summer, in a hot warehouse, then put into a hot shipping container on some ship crossing the ocean during summer. Then in a hot truck to a hot warehouse in the U.S. So if the gun spent all it's time muzzle down during this entire time ( they useually shrink wrap a full pallet during shipping ) the oils and grease would slowly migrate towards the front of the piston seal and combustion chamber. So when the piston comes rearward during cocking the walls of the chamber are coated with oils and Grease.
I say this because I can't see HW allowing all that lube forward of the piston. My gun is great now. But it was coughing up lube for hundreds of pellets. Also, my stock on my HW95 was very "Dry" to the touch. Where my HW30 had a kind of wax(??) on it that really brought out the grain. I realized this when I accidentally got some Ballistol on the wood when lubeing (Lightly) around the barrel pivots. Knowing Ballistol was great for wood I wiped the rest of the stock down and SHAZAMM! The beauty of the work really came out! The finish that was applied to the stock in Germany had dried into a fine whiteish powder. To me more evidence my gun went through some hot times before it came to me. She really is a beauty now. The stock is "Pre-Billboard" Luxus style. I am really happy with the look and performance of everything about this gun now.